Skip to main content

How Do Apple AirTags Work?

Apple AirTags have steadily gained popularity in the smart tag market. A recent report highlighted that 69% of smart tag buyers in late 2024 chose an Apple AirTag. This marks a significant rise from 45% in early 2022. In contrast, Tile, the category pioneer now owned by Life360, has seen its market share fall to 11% from 17% during the same period. Samsung's Galaxy SmartTags now hold second place.

Interestingly, the technology behind AirTags resembles concepts like Opportunity Driven Multiple Access (ODMA) or Multihop Cellular Networks (MCNs), which I have previously explored. A similar approach has also been discussed regarding Bluetooth-based Ad-Hoc networks.

How Do They Work?

AirTags primarily use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to communicate with nearby Apple devices that are part of the Find My network. This vast network consists of millions of Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs, which can detect AirTags and securely relay their location back to the owner.

Additionally, AirTags utilise Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, available in newer iPhones equipped with a U1 chip, for Precision Finding. This feature enables an iPhone to accurately pinpoint an AirTag's location, showing distance and direction within the Find My app.

When an AirTag is out of Bluetooth range, it relies on nearby Apple devices to detect its Bluetooth signal anonymously and relay its location to iCloud. The AirTag's owner can then view the location within the Find My app. This entire process is encrypted and private, ensuring that neither the person detecting the AirTag nor Apple can access the location data.

For instances where an AirTag is nearby but not immediately visible, the owner can prompt it to play a sound via the Find My app, aiding in its discovery.

Security and Privacy Features

Apple has incorporated several features to prevent unwanted tracking. If an unknown AirTag is detected moving with you over time, your iPhone will notify you, and the AirTag will eventually emit a sound to alert you.

When an AirTag is lost, the owner can activate Lost Mode. If another Apple device detects the AirTag, the owner will receive a notification. Additionally, if someone finds the AirTag, they can tap it with an NFC-enabled smartphone to view a message from the owner, such as contact details, provided the owner has set this information.

All location data is end-to-end encrypted, maintaining user privacy.

AirTags are powered by a replaceable CR2032 coin battery, which typically lasts around one year, ensuring convenience and longevity for users.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Highlights from XGMF's Conference to Advance Millimetre Wave Technology

On April 1, 2024, two of Japan's leading connectivity organizations—the 5G Mobile Promotion Forum (5GMF) and the Beyond 5G Promotion Consortium (B5GPC)—joined forces to create the XG Mobile Promotion Forum ( XGMF ). This merger symbolizes a pivotal step in accelerating the adoption of next-generation wireless technologies. In May 2024, XGMF's Millimeter Wave Promotion Ad Hoc (Millimeter Wave AH) hosted the International Workshop on Millimeter Wave Dissemination for 5G. This event aimed to foster the adoption of millimeter wave (mmWave) technology in Japan and beyond, drawing an audience of approximately 200 attendees and broadcasting in both English and Japanese. The workshop featured opening remarks by Mr. Naohiko Ogiwara, Director of the Radio Department, Telecommunications Infrastructure Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC). Key speakers included: Mr. Takanori Mashiko (MIC, slides ) Mr. Sam Gielges (Qualcomm, online - no slides) Mr. Christopher Pric...
Post a Comment
Read more

Testing, Refining, and Improving Stratospheric Connectivity: NTT Docomo’s HAPS Trials

At MWC 2025, NTT Docomo highlighted its latest initiatives under the NTT Group's "NTT C89" space-business strategy, such as mobile-connectivity services using unmanned vehicles, or high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), that fly in the stratosphere for days or months, using relays to provide mobile connectivity in mountainous and remote areas, including at sea and in the sky. A presentation on NTT C89 Aerospace Business Strategy is available here while a presentation on NTT DOCOMO's Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) for Extreme Coverage Extension is available here . Stratospheric connectivity, enabled by High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS), is emerging as a key solution for extending mobile coverage to remote and underserved areas. However, ensuring that these airborne platforms can provide stable, high-quality connectivity requires extensive testing and refinement. At MWC 2025, NTT Docomo showcased its progress in this domain, highlighting multiple real-world trials...
Post a Comment
Read more